Learned Society of Wales and Medr strengthen long-term partnership

Wales’s national academy for arts and sciences and the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research have renewed their commitment to work together to further support research, innovation and collaboration in Wales.

_{Chief Executive of the Learned Society of Wales, Olivia Harrison (left) and Chief Executive of Medr, James Owen (right) sign partnership agreement.}

The Learned Society of Wales and Medr’s new five-year partnership focuses on:

• Promoting excellent research
• Supporting people carrying out research
• Building links between researchers, and
• Using outstanding research to improve the future prosperity of the nation.

The two bodies will agree annually on activities to tackle their shared ambitions, and are likely to include:

• External engagement to increase policy-makers’ understanding of the importance of excellent research and innovation, across all disciplines, in benefitting Wales.
• Working with other national academies, such as the Celtic Academies Alliance, to raise the profile of Welsh research and innovation outside Wales.
• Supporting researchers through funding and awards, networks and events, and enabling healthy research environments.

Signing the agreement to work together, Medr’s Chief Executive, James Owen said:

“Both of our organisations recognise that promoting excellent research and innovation is vital to the nation’s social, economic and cultural wellbeing.

“To this end, we are confident that the impact our investment in the work of the Learned Society of Wales will strengthen our research profile at home and internationally, support researchers, and provide expert policy advise to decision-makers.

Olivia Harrison, Chief Executive of the Learned Society of Wales said:

“A thriving research and innovation ecosystem is fundamental to Wales’ future. It gives us firm foundations on which to continue nurturing the knowledge, ideas and talent that sustain Wales’ scientific, social and cultural life.

“Realising these benefits requires sustained commitment and investment and so this long-term partnership with Medr will give us the continuity and confidence to continue our part in this.

“Medr’s investment will enable us to develop Wales’ future leaders and experts, connect research expertise with evidence-based policymaking, and help ensure that new knowledge translates into tangible benefits for people and communities across Wales and beyond.”

Notes

The Learned Society of Wales is Wales’ National Academy. It is made up of 700 Fellows, academics, researchers and leaders from Wales’ civic and cultural life. It promotes and develops Wales’ research community and contributes to debates about the policies that affect Wales.

Medr is an arm’s-length body of the Welsh Government, which funds and regulates the tertiary education sector in Wales. This includes: • further education • higher education including research and innovation • adult community learning and work-based education • apprenticeships • local authority maintained school sixth-forms.